News Archives - Page 12 of 22 - The Children's Guild

The Children’s Guild Alliance Apprentices Support Productivity During Pandemic

by | Jan 14, 2021 | News

Jacob Luskin—Assistant Director, I.T. Dept

The Children’s Guild Alliance hired two new apprentices to meet increased demand for information technology support during the pandemic. The apprentices are enrolled in TranZed Apprenticeships, a nonprofit registered apprenticeship provider and an affiliate member of The Children’s Guild Alliance. The new apprentices join a department with two active apprentices and four graduates of TranZed Apprenticeships.

“We previously followed a traditional hiring model, but when The Guild launched TranZed Apprenticeships, my interest was piqued to say the least. I had a current employee in mind, that I thought would benefit from the hands-on training of an apprenticeship. That employee’s transformation truly opened my eyes to the potential of apprenticeships,” said Kevin “Chip” Kruba, Director of Information Technology for The Children’s Guild Alliance. “It was a pivotal point in the developmental structure and expansion of our IT department.”

Responding to the pandemic has substantially increased information technology needs at The Children’s Guild Alliance, but Kruba sees no reason to stray from the apprenticeship model. “Apprentices bring a certain tenacity and an invaluable desire to learn and contribute as fast as they can. They have played an integral role in transitioning all of The Guild’s employees to remote work and prepped almost 2,000 Chromebooks for distribution to students,” Kruba said.

Jacob Luskin, Assistant Director of Information Technology at The Children’s Guild Alliance, said, “Taking ownership is a major difference between an apprenticeship versus a traditional job. An apprentice is committed to learning the craft of the job, and the employer has a vested interest in that process.”

Luskin began his career with The Children’s Guild Alliance as an IT apprentice with TranZed Apprenticeships. He said, “After a 14-year career with the military, I had aged out of most entry-level positions but lacked on-the-job experience. Apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to acquire the experience and skillset I needed to make a career transition.”

Luskin quickly moved up the ranks and now supervises new hires. He said, “We almost exclusively hire apprentices at The Guild because it allows us to train them to fill specific needs within our department and grow them through our system.”

“Apprenticeships are fast becoming key in the skills-led recovery planning of many employers across America,” said Paul Champion, President of TranZed Apprenticeships. “The Children’s Guild Alliance joined the apprenticeship revolution early, ensuring it had the right skills, at the right time, in the right roles to successfully navigate through the challenges of the pandemic in 2020 and have a great foundation to build on this success in 2021.”

WorkingNation Features Success of TranZed Academy for Working Students

by | Jan 11, 2021 | News

WorkingNation showcased TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS) in a recent article, “Real-world job experience for high schoolers“, noting: 

Innovative thinking in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland recognizes the value of high school students getting real-world work experience to help them prepare for the future. The two-year-old program gives high school seniors the opportunity to continue their studies while giving them a taste of the job market.

When Duane Arbogast, Ed.D., chief of strategy and innovation with The Children’s Guild, approached Jack Smith, Ph.D., the MCPS superintendent, about TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), Smith did not require a lot of convincing.

“I thought it’s a tremendous opportunity for us to reach students who I don’t think are reached very well by the public education, traditional high school experience,” says Smith.

Launched in 2018, TAWS allows high school seniors to take academic classes for part of the school day, allowing them the remainder of the day to go to a job.”

Read the full article on WorkingNation.

NBA All-Star, Russell Westbrook, Spreads Holiday Cheer to The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School

by | Dec 23, 2020 | News

Smiles and shouts of glee abounded at The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School when NBA All-Star Washington Wizards Point Guard Russell Westbrook along with the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation selected our school to host its first Washington, D.C., holiday drive-through event. Held on Dec. 21, the drive-through was created to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly 300 of our students in grades K-8 were gifted face masks, backpacks, and signed pairs of Westbook’s signature Jordon shoe. Students met Westbrook, who personally handed out the shoes, and new teammates Deni Avdija and Cassius Winston, who came by to show their support.

“This year has been tough for so many families across the country and giving back continues to be an enormous focus of mine. I’m so happy to be able to partner with The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School and give back to the community here in Washington, D.C. My goal is to continue to connect with the inner-city youth here to empower them to ask, ‘Why Not?’ when they’re told they can’t do something and inspire them to be the change they want to see in the world,” said Westbrook.

“The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School offers a unique, proven philosophy of education where children are valued and respected. Our mission to empower students for success in life aligns with that of the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation,” said Bryan Daniels, principal of The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School. “Receiving a new pair of shoes from an NBA star can make a world of difference in a child’s life. We thank Russell Westbrook and the Why Not? Foundation for recognizing our students and making their holidays brighter, especially this year, after they and their families have faced so many challenges and hardships.”

The mission of the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Foundation is to inspire the lives of children, empower them to ask, “Why Not?” and teach them to never give up. The foundation is dedicated to supporting community-based education and family service programs while encouraging youth to believe in themselves. For more information, visit whynotfoundation.org (hyper link).

The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School offers an enriched physical environment combined with an arts-infused curriculum, a visual and performing arts program, hands-on project-based learning, character development, information and communication technology and a student support center. Located at 2146 24th Place NE in Washington, D.C., the school is an affiliate member of The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations dedicated to transforming how America educates and cares for its children through education, behavioral health and national training and consultation services. For more information, visit tcgdc.org. 

Monarch Global Academy Laurel Names Kate Dreibelbis Dean of Students

by | Dec 18, 2020 | News

Monarch Global Academy Laurel, a public contract school with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, named Kate Dreibelbis dean of students. Dreibelbis is a strategic leader and behavioral specialist with experience supporting children with a wide range of behaviors.

“Kate comes to us with a plethora of knowledge and experience. She is leading our student support team, ensuring they are meeting the needs of our school community. Our virtual environment has created many challenges, and Kate has taken the initiative to connect with families for support,” Monarch Global Academy Principal Donna O’Shea said.

As dean of students, Dreibelbis works with students, family and staff members to motivate positive and appropriate student behavior and works with an interdisciplinary team to create and implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports schoolwide programs. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is a framework for improving student outcomes.

Prior to coming to Monarch Global Academy Laurel, Dreibelbis was dean of students for the past two years at Monarch Academy Annapolis, which she joined in 2017 as a student support coach. Dreibelbis previously worked for the Episcopal Center for Children in Washington, D.C., as director of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, coordinator of behavioral support specialists and behavioral support specialist.

She graduated from High Point University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in human relations and earned a Master of Education degree from Concordia University. Dreibelbis also has an applied behavior analyst certification from Penn State University.

Monarch Academy charter and contract schools in Annapolis, Glen Burnie and Laurel, Maryland, are affiliate members of The Children’s Guild Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving children, families and child-serving organizations and dedicated to transforming how America educates and cares for its children through education, behavioral health and national training and consultation services. Affiliates of The Children’s Guild Alliance include The Children’s Guild, The Children’s Guild D.C. Public Charter School, The Academy for Working Students (TAWS), TranZed Apprenticeships, Transformation Education Institute and The National Children’s Guild Fund.

Two Monarch Academy Teachers Nominated for AACPS Teacher of the Year

by | Dec 17, 2020 | News

Sonia Bolotin

Maria Cummings

Monarch Global Academy Laurel teacher Maria Cummings and Monarch Academy Glen Burnie teacher Sonja Bolotin are among 43 teachers nominated for Anne Arundel County’s Teacher of the Year. Monarch Global Academy Laurel and Monarch Academy Glen Burnie are charter or contract schools with Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

Sonja Bolotin teaches second grade at Monarch Academy Glen Burnie.

“Mrs. Bolotin meets each child where they are, creates a safe crew where children thrive and brings students to success as they engage in meaningful work that makes a difference. She does this while contributing to a culture of personal growth for the adults at Monarch Academy to ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to our commitment to equity,” said Monarch Academy Glen Burnie Principal Kim Jakovics. “Walking into Mrs. Bolotin’s second grade class is a magical experience. There are few places where I would rather be.”

Through Bolotin’s leadership, second grade students partnered with an author and nonprofit organization to write and illustrate a book about bees. The book was translated into Amharic and then distributed to children in Ethiopia.

“Our students, with Mrs. Bolotin’s commitment and passion for relevant learning experiences that affect the local and global community, made that happen,” Jakovics said.

Bolotin also created a reading program called the Caterpillar Club to encourage her second grade students to be excited about reading as she worked to ensure that all read on grade level by the end of their second grade year. This program brought in community volunteers and partners each morning and made reading fun and exciting for children.

Maria ‘Conchi’ Cummings teaches world and classical language to middle school students at Monarch Global Academy Laurel.

“Sra. Cummings came to us with a wealth of experience in all things Spanish. In her time at Monarch Global Academy, Conchi, as she is called, has consistently demonstrated her effectiveness as a teacher through her strong example, tireless work ethic and high expectations. Conchi’s classroom radiates a warmth that embraces her Spanish heritage,” said Monarch Global Academy Principal Donna O’Shea. “She is a true leader and team player and supports the implementation of curriculum and instruction that is both rigorous and highly differentiated to meet the needs of all learners. Parents respect Conchi because she holds high expectations for her students. They appreciate her willingness to go above and beyond, so their children succeed in Spanish.”

Cummings’ students have consistently scored high on the quarterly benchmark tests. Her students said they can tell she loves them. Positive and calm, she allows students to be creative and experience different things, they said.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools will honor Bolotin and Cummings at its 35th annual Excellence in Education Awards hosted by the 21st Century Education Foundation on April 15, 2021. The event will culminate with the announcement of the 2021 Anne Arundel County Public School Teacher of the Year, who will represent the county in the Maryland State Teacher of the Year competition. 

The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School Holds Virtual Open Houses

by | Dec 14, 2020 | News

The Children’s Guild District of Columbia Public Charter School (TCGDC) will hold virtual open houses for prospective students living in the District entering kindergarten through eighth grade in the fall of 2021. Families will have the chance to meet the staff and virtually tour the school.

 Virtual open houses will take place on various Wednesdays, December through February:

  • Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 5 to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 6, from 5 to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 5 to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 10, from noon to 1 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 5 to 6 p.m.

To attend an open, RSVP at tcgdc.org.

Families may apply to the District of Columbia Public Charter School at www.myschooldc.org or call 202-774-5442, ext. 3428. The application deadline is March 1, 2021.

 “The Children’s Guild District of Columbia Public Charter School offers a unique, proven philosophy of education and welcome families looking for a place where children are valued and respected,” said Bryan Daniels, principal of TCGDC. “We are excited for our new Visual & Performing Arts Program launching in the 2021-22 school year which will engage students in focused arts instruction of various art mediums to include: vocal and instrumental music, dance, visual art, drama/theatre/creative writing, and coding/engineering.”

 In additional to arts integration, TCGDC offers an enriched physical environment combined with hands-on project-based learning, character development, information and communication technology and a student support center. When school is in-person, bus transportation for students is also available from home and before/after school care facilities.

 For more information about the school, visit www.tcgdc.org.